How to Shoot Professional Video With a DSLR: Stabilize the Camera

Having a solid, stable base is important for getting clear, sharp still photos. But it’s even more important when shooting video.

After all, you’re recording a moving picture, so if the camera isn’t steady, the footage will give viewers a seasick feeling because the video is bouncing around all over the place.

The simplest means of stabilizing the camera during video recording is to use a tripod.

You can pick up a good video tripod, like the E-Image EK650 shown above, for under $200.

This particular tripod is specifically designed for video shooters and features a fluid head with a 75mm bowl and a fixed counterbalance that enables the head to support up to 11 pounds of gear.

To increase stability, the EK650 has a mid-level spreader and quick leg locks for easy and secure setup.

Tripods like this one offer fixed pan drag, variable tilt drag, and continuous adjustable tilt drag for more precise adjustments to the camera positioning.

It also comes with a GP1 plate that is compatible with various E-Image and Manfrotto heads.

The aluminum legs are strong and sturdy, yet lightweight, so the tripod is easily transportable. There’s even anti-slip pads on the feet to increase stability even further.

It’s virtually impossible to get the highest-quality footage unless you stabilize the camera, so investing in a high-quality tripod like the E-Image EK650 is one of the best tips for better DSLR video.

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On the aperture front, it’s used just the same in video as it is in still photography.

If you want to reduce the depth of field, maintaining the subject in nice, sharp detail but having a blurred background, open the aperture. If you want the entire scene sharp, close down the aperture.

Naturally, if you use a large aperture to blur the background there will be lots of light coming into the lens. Conversely, if you close the aperture down to increase the depth of field, there will be much less light.

To help even out the exposure, you’ll need to manipulate the ISO.

As in still photography, you want to keep the ISO as low as possible to avoid digital noise. This isn’t an issue when shooting with a large aperture, because there’s plenty of light. As such, you can keep the ISO to a minimum.

However, when you close down the aperture, the ISO will need to be increased. A good rule of thumb is to do test footage at various ISO levels so you can determine the absolute lowest ISO setting you can use to get a good exposure with minimal noise.

Get more details on manipulating aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for shooting video in the video above by DSLR Video Shooter.

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How to Shoot Professional Video With a DSLR: Ditch Autofocus

I’ll be the first to admit that DSLR autofocus systems are better than they’ve ever been for shooting still photos.

But in most cases, autofocus for shooting video results in the camera hunting for the right focus point if you’re using continuous autofocus.

A better option is to use manual focus so you have total control over what’s in focus and what isn’t.

Manual focus might sound scary, but as this tutorial explains, it’s really not as hard as some people think! If you need to know how to shoot video with a DSLR, learning manual focusing should be one of the first steps you take.

For additional tips on manual focusing for video, check out the video at the beginning of this section by ZY Productions.

How to Shoot Professional Video With a DSLR: Invest in Good Glass

One of the best DSLR video accessories you can get is the best lens you can afford.

After all, the lenses you use for shooting video have more impact on the quality of the footage than anything else - even your camera!

Many experienced DSLR videographers will tell you that the best lenses for shooting video are primes with a large aperture like the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 HSM Art Lens.

The 24mm focal length is ideal for wide shots while the huge f/1.4 aperture enables you to control the depth of field and shoot in low-light situations with relative ease.

The problem, of course, is that this particular lens is spendy at $850.00.

Ultimately, how to shoot video with a DSLR comes down to many factors, but the ones outlined here are among the most important.

Do yourself a favor and get geared up with a good lens and solid tripod, learn how to shoot in manual mode, master manual focusing, and you’ll be in good shape for fulfilling your creative vision with your videos.

Variable ND filters aren't for everyone, but they do have many benefits for photographers. In this guide, learn about the pros of variable ND filters, the cons, the difference between variable ND filters and fixed ND filters, and more.